SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Notre Dame volleyball beats rival

Friday

Julia Flynn, Casey Thorbahn and Julia Marshall led the Cougars to a 3-1 home win over Medfield on Thursday.

The Notre Dame Academy volleyball program considers Medfield and Barnstable to be the gold standard in the state.

Said NDA coach Josh Shepherd: “We’re trying to emulate them.”

Now the Cougars have figured out how to beat them. At least one of them.

Last year’s road win over Medfield was the biggest victory in the program’s history, Shepherd noted. On Thursday, NDA proved that 2012 result wasn’t a fluke as the host Cougars handed Medfield its first loss of this season, 3-1.

“A good one for us,” Shepherd said.

NDA (5-1) has been facing Medfield (7-1) and Barnstable twice a year for the past few seasons. The Cougars haven’t solved Barnstable yet – losing their latest showdown in five games on Tuesday – but they now own two wins over Medfield. The teams will square off again next Thursday in Medfield.

Barnstable visits Hingham on Oct. 23.

“We’re still drastically behind in the overall standings” in the series, Shepherd said. “Yet this was a step in the right direction.”

NDA prevailed, 25-18, 25-20, 17-25, 25-15, and nothing came easily.

“Both teams are very defensively inclined,” Shepherd said. “It’s nearly impossible to put a ball down on Medfield because they have such good floor defense. It was a good pat on the back for our hitters that they were able to find success – after the third or fourth try.”

“She’s taken giant steps to become one of the premier players in the state this year,” Shepherd said. “Whether she’s serving or playing defense or attacking she just always has a lot of competitive grit.”

Marshall, a returning starter, has filled numerous roles this season and played with what Shepherd called a “tremendous amount of poise” against Medfield after struggling against Barnstable.

Thorbahn, who transferred from Thayer Academy as a sophomore, is Notre Dame’s most improved player. Said Shepherd: “She’s invested the time, energy and resources into building herself into an impact player.”

In other high school action:

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Milton 3, Wellesley 0: Olivia Taber had 12 kills and served out the final game with four straight points, leading the Wildcats (2-7) to a 25-19, 25-15, 25-23 win. Junior Ciara Swan had six kills and two service aces for Milton. Captain Allison Grassa, the team’s lone senior, also played well.

Carver 2, Pope John Paul II 1: Senior Tyler Johnson scored both goals, each assisted by classmate Kevin Aldrovandi, to lead the host Crusaders (8-0). “We’re finding a way to win,” Carver coach Mark Alessandri said. “It was a solid, collective effort by everybody on the team, especially on the defensive end.”

Goalkeeper Joey England stood out for host North Quincy (1-8). The Red Raiders face city rival Quincy on Saturday night at 7 at Veterans Stadium in the nightcap of a girls/boys doubleheader that begins at 5.

Silver Lake 7, Hanover 1: For the Lakers (6-0-1), senior Paul Beatty had two goals and an assist. Senior Sean Hurlburt also pitched in with a goal and two assists in the victory. Sophomore Adam Crawford had a goal and an assist for Silver Lake.

South Shore Christian 6, Cape Cod Academy 0 : Junior Nathan Vazquez had three goals and an assist for SSC (2-1-3). His brother T.J., a senior, had a goal and two assists. Senior Matt Walsh and freshman Luke Dagley combined for the shutout in net.

Duxbury 6, North Quincy 0: Senior Emily Weimer had a hat trick for the Dragons (6-1-1), giving her 17 goals for the season. Sophomore forward Emma Gill chipped in with a goal.

Hanover 2, Silver Lake 2: Senior captain Karly Atturio scored two goals in the second half to help Hanover (1-5-2) come back from a 2-0 deficit at halftime. Senior captains Liz Ward and Emma Hoffman chipped in with assists.

Milton 4, Wellesley 3: Sophie Cousineau scored all four goals for Milton, including the winner with five minutes left. Senior Claire Mahoney added two assists.

Randolph 17, Mashpee 42: Mensky Barosy of Randolph (2-2) won the 2.9-mile race in 18:09. Chris Doan of Randolph came in second with a time of 19:52. Conor Chichester of Randolph was third place in 19:53.

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